General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - July 2019

Jul 2019

Sep 16, 2026

ICWA marks 25th anniversary as National Institution; India’s global role highlighted

The Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) marked its 25th anniversary as an Institution of National Importance with a high-profile address by the Vice-President at Sapru House, New Delhi. He highlighted India’s growing global leadership and outlined four ICWA priorities: Neighborhood First, Act East, Global South, and Indo-Pacific. The address praised India’s digital public infrastructure, Vaccine Maitri, LiFE, and international collaborations such as ITEC and the first IIT campus abroad in Zanzibar. The Vice-President urged stronger research, cyber-security work, and expanded ties with universities to position ICWA as a premier source of Indian perspectives on world affairs.

ICWA celebrates 25th anniversary as Institution of National Importance
Vice-President underscores India’s global leadership and Global South role
Four ICWA priorities: Neighborhood First, Act East, Global South, Indo-Pacific
Achievements include LiFE, Vaccine Maitri, and Digital Public Infrastructure
Calls for stronger academia-industry partnerships and international outreach

Eager Lion 2026: US CENTCOM and Jordan begin two‑week exercise at Fort Carson, Colorado

US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Jordanian Armed Forces have launched Exercise Eager Lion 2026 at Fort Carson, Colorado. The two‑week drill marks CENTCOM’s first hosting of the biennial event on U.S. soil. More than 200 personnel from Jordan and the United States are participating, including National Guard units from Colorado and Illinois. The exercise focuses on planning and coordination in counterterrorism, air defense, maritime security, cybersecurity, and disaster response. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper emphasised the enduring military‑to‑military ties with Jordan, built under the State Partnership Program since 1993 and expanded since 2004 through the Colorado–Jordan partnership.

Eager Lion 2026 is hosted by CENTCOM in the United States.
Participation includes Jordanian and U.S. forces plus nearby National Guard units.
Core focus areas: CT, air defense, maritime security, cyber, disaster response.
Partnership follows the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program since 1993.

World Trade Report 2026 warns of risks to LDCs without multilateral trade reform

The World Trade Organization released World Trade Report 2026, titled A Critical Juncture for the World Trading System. The report warns that without upgrading the multilateral system or expanding free trade agreements, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) could suffer GDP losses and reduced exports. It estimates that a world relying solely on FTAs could shrink global GDP by up to 6.9%, with LDCs potentially facing severe declines in exports. The report highlights Bangladesh as a leading LDC exporter and emphasizes the benefits of enhanced cooperation, which could boost global GDP and exports by 2050 if multilateral trade collaboration is strengthened.

WTO World Trade Report 2026 stresses multilateral reform
FTA-dominated world risks GDP and export losses, especially for LDCs
Forecast: global GDP could fall up to 6.9% under FTA world
Enhanced-cooperation scenario could raise GDP and exports by 2050
Bangladesh highlighted as top LDC merchandise exporter

Sep 15, 2026

Kathmandu hosts SAWEN General Assembly; Kathmandu Declaration adopted

South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) held its first General Assembly in Kathmandu, where the Kathmandu Declaration was adopted to strengthen regional cooperation against illegal wildlife trade. SAWEN is a regional inter-governmental network that coordinates efforts among South Asian countries to combat wildlife crimes and trafficking. The declaration calls for enhanced enforcement, information sharing, joint field operations, and capacity building to protect biodiversity across the region. Delegates reviewed crime patterns, agreed on priority actions, and emphasised harmonising laws and rapid cross-border cooperation. Experts noted the need for sustained funding and technical training.

Kathmandu hosted SAWEN General Assembly and Kathmandu Declaration.
SAWEN coordinates regional actions against wildlife crimes.
Declaration calls for enforcement, information sharing, and joint operations.
Emphasis on harmonised laws and cross-border cooperation.
Need for sustained funding and technical training highlighted.

PM Modi meets South Africa's Ramaphosa on BRICS sidelines; talks on cooperation

On the sidelines of the XVIII BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, on 13 September 2026. The leaders discussed bilateral ties, regional security, and BRICS jointly advancing trade, investment, and technology cooperation. The meeting underscored India’s role in shaping the expanded BRICS agenda and the importance of shared development goals. Officials noted follow-up steps, including upcoming high-level dialogues and potential cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and digital connectivity. The encounter reflected ongoing diplomatic engagement in New Delhi as BRICS leaders consolidated their plans for multilateral collaboration. Public remarks highlighted friendship and shared regional responsibilities.

Meetings on 13 September 2026 on BRICS sidelines in Delhi.
Modi and Ramaphosa discussed trade, investment, and tech cooperation.
India’s role in BRICS expansion highlighted.
Follow-up dialogues planned in energy, infrastructure, digital connectivity.
Diplomatic engagement emphasised friendship and regional responsibility.

BRICS New Delhi Declaration released; emphasis on resilience, innovation, and sustainability

BRICS issued the New Delhi Declaration on September 12, 2026, during the XVIII BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with leaders emphasising resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainable development. The document outlines common commitments across trade, investment, technology, climate action, and people-to-people ties, while reaffirming reform of global governance institutions to better reflect emerging economies. The declaration highlights digital connectivity, inclusive growth, and responses to supply-chain disruptions. It also notes collaboration in science, health, and energy, and calls for more structured BRICS-plus partnerships. The summit, running from 12 to 13 September 2026, showcased regional diplomacy and a shared agenda for greater South-South cooperation.

New Delhi Declaration released during BRICS Summit (12–13 Sep 2026).
Focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability.
Calls for reform of global governance to include emerging economies.
Emphasis on digital connectivity and inclusive growth.
BRICS-plus partnerships and cross-sector collaboration highlighted.

Sep 13, 2026

Must-know India developments: BRICS Summit and Veer Guardian 2026 (last 48 hours)

In the last 48 hours, India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, with leaders including Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin participating. The talks emphasized energy cooperation, digital economy and trade expansion. Concurrently, Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 continued at Jodhpur (9–22 September 2026), showcasing enhanced air interoperability between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. These events highlight India’s growing role in regional and global affairs, strengthening diplomatic, defence and economic partnerships. For exams, remember dates, key participants and the main objectives of each event.

BRICS Summit 18th in New Delhi, 12–13 September 2026
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin among leaders present
Focus on energy, digital economy and trade
Veer Guardian 2026 drills ongoing in Jodhpur, 9–22 September
IAF and JASDF interoperability and defence partnerships emphasized

Modi gifts Russian translation of Thirukkural to Putin at BRICS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a Russian translation of the Tamil classic Thirukkural to Russian President Vladimir Putin on 11 September 2026, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The edition, prepared by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, highlights cultural diplomacy and India’s soft power in global affairs. The gift underscores shared appreciation for timeless ethical literature across languages. Putin accepted the volume during bilateral discussions that also touched on energy, trade and defence cooperation as BRICS members prepared for the 12–13 September 2026 summit. The gesture reflects India’s broader effort to strengthen cultural ties with partner nations.

Thirukkural translated into Russian presented to Putin
Gift occurred on 11 September 2026 during BRICS activities
Edition prepared by Central Institute of Classical Tamil
Demonstrates cultural diplomacy in international relations
BRICS discussions included energy, trade and defence

Sep 12, 2026

Xi Jinping and Modi hold talks on BRICS sidelines during New Delhi summit

On the BRICS sidelines of the New Delhi summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks to reset bilateral ties. The discussions followed earlier exchanges with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting highlighted cooperation within BRICS and broader regional considerations as both countries seek to balance competition with collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. Observers note the talks could influence future trade, technology and political arrangements, while underscoring India’s pivotal role as BRICS chair in shaping a multipolar global order.

Location: BRICS sidelines, New Delhi
Participants: Modi and Xi Jinping
Context: efforts to reset bilateral ties
Related meetings: Putin and Pezeshkian interactions nearby
Impact: possible influence on trade, technology and regional policy
Significance: India’s BRICS leadership theme

BRICS New Delhi Declaration Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability

The XVIII BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi from 12 to 13 September 2026 under the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. Leaders from BRICS nations endorsed a shared agenda on trade, technology and sustainable development, emphasising resilience in supply chains and greater South–South collaboration. The declaration addressed regional conflicts, sanctions, and the need for a multipolar world with stronger cooperation among emerging economies. India, as BRICS chair, highlighted expansion opportunities and practical steps in infrastructure, finance and climate action. The summit showcased BRICS as a platform for greater global influence and inclusive growth.

Event: XVIII BRICS Summit, New Delhi (12–13 Sept 2026)
Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
Key takeaways: supply-chain resilience, tech and sustainable development
Stance on regional conflicts and sanctions; multipolar world
India’s role: BRICS chair; focus on expansion and practical cooperation
Outcomes: collaboration in infrastructure, finance and climate action

Sep 10, 2026

27th World Knowledge Forum in Seoul discusses AI and co‑intelligence

The 27th World Knowledge Forum (WKF) was held in Seoul, South Korea, in September 2026 at Jangchung Arena and The Shilla Seoul. Organised by Maekyung Media Group, the forum explored artificial intelligence, co‑intelligence, and global economic transformation. Under the theme The Promethean Moment: Architecting the Co-Intelligence Order, participants debated policy frameworks for responsible AI, digital skills, and cross‑border collaboration. Delegates from multiple countries examined how technology could reshape markets, governance, and employment. The discussions are expected to influence policymakers and business leaders, including those in India seeking inclusive growth through technology‑led governance and innovation.

Event: 27th World Knowledge Forum in Seoul, September 2026.
Theme focuses on AI, co‑intelligence, and economic transformation.
Participants debated policy for responsible innovation and cross‑border collaboration.
Implications for India’s technology policy and digital inclusion strategies.
Hosted by Maekyung Media Group at major venues in Seoul.

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